Bariatric Surgeon, NYU

Coconut Oil is Just as Unhealthy as Butter and Beef Fat

Weight loss is a difficult process. For many dieting is the worst part of it. It requires commitment, self-discipline and planning. Some people require additional help through professional counseling and nutritional guidance. Because dieting is so challenging, it’s tempting to get caught up in claims of magical health solutions and diet swaps that will make the pounds melt off. What’s worse is that many of these have no medical or scientific basis. Recently the American Heart Association advised that coconut oil is not a healthier replacement for butter or beef fat. Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding discusses this finding.

The Myth of Coconut Oil as a Healthy Alternative

The supposed magical benefits of coconut oil have grown to mythic proportions on the internet. It first came into vogue as an alternative to vegetable oils in part because it is more stable. Between that and the chemical treatments necessary for canola, soy, and sunflower oils, coconut oil seemed more natural. Health and wellness businesses thrive on this appeal to nature argument, regardless of whether there is real scientific basis to back it up. In the case of coconut oil, the data is finally in.

Still, those who sell it claim that it can do everything from cure diabetes to whiten your teeth. You should be skeptical of anyone offering to sell you a cure all. There is no such thing as a panacea.

Weight Loss with Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding

If you need nutritional guidance or other weight loss advice, please contact the NYU Langone Weight Management Program. Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding and colleagues are available to help you achieve your weight loss goals. For information and appointments, call 212-263-3166 or email weightloss@nyumc.org.

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From our Patients

Dr. Ren Fielding is AMAZING. First impression: professional, knowledgeable, caring… My impressions have only improved. I would recommend her in a heartbeat. It is so scary to undergo this process. You will feel a hundred times better if you know you are in experienced, capable hands.

She made me comfortable enough to ask as many questions as I wanted and was sensitive to include my husband in the discussion and ask how he felt about everything. She made me feel comfortable on the day of surgery and afterwards also.

Caring, professional and a Dr very confident in what she does. Her office staff is GREAT!!! supportive, helpful, concerned, caring and friendly… She spoke very freely and honestly of all the pros and cons and I enjoy that very much… Surgical competence and bedside manner are great.

I like her very much! The office staff has been great, I haven’t met anyone that I haven’t liked so far. They do very close follow-up, no slacking off. She’s one of the Best and has one of the Best in her practice with her in Dr. [George] Fielding so 2 top notch surgeons under one roof!